European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 9, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                The port and the traditional dutch houses Drw Many tourists a annually to Markon Island. Continued from Page 13and a manse Charis the heart of dutch tourist country. 1 1 the trip to Marken although Only about 13 Miles fran Amsterdam As the Crow flies was about a 25-mile, 4. Minute ride through and around the capital Marken was once an Island but has been connected to the Mainland by a causeway for Only 36 years. The locals still walk around in traditional garb but much of this is probably for the tourists Delight. Walking along the pier a cold wind blows fit not for fowl or beast or a Frozen fingered photographer. This Quot quaint Quot summer tourist trap is nearly empty in november the most commotion is caused by a local trying to steer his car in this supposedly automobile less Village through the few tourists that shop for souvenirs at the port. A the Marker museum is supposed to be interesting but unfortunately it is open Only from easter to the end of october. The signs seen on Marken on this november morning said be soften closed. While Marken is touristy vol Lendam is even More so. Unless you Are taking the express boat to Marken and in november with cold and Choppy Waves on the Marker Meer you won t be it stops running in october also you might As Well just skip vol Lendam and head on to Edam. Although Edam Hajts share of tourists it is a real City. A a it does t really have a whole lot to see. There is a Nice town Hall a museum a Church and some restaurants but after touristy Marken and vol Lendam Edam is a pleasurable diversion before hitting the tourist path again for a manse schans. ,. With the Industrial expansion of the Zaan Region North of Amsterdam after world War ii the traditional. Buildings of the area were in danger of being lost forever. The a manse schans foundation stepped in and windmills and old houses in the Zaa land were dismantled and erected on a 20-acre site along the Zaan River Only 13 Miles from Edam and 10 Miles from the dutch capital. This old fashioned Village where windmills still Mill and where cheese is still made the traditional Way is Alt the More interesting because the buildings Are still inhabited bringing to life what would be just another a very popular a tourist attraction. \ 1 surely jammed in the summer autumn brings a quieter crowd. Only the periodic arrival of a tour bus pumps up the action. At this time of year though they Are far and few Between and a manse schans is Large enough to disperse the swarm. Only when they descend on the cheese factory a where you can taste the selection before buying a or at the Windmill that is accessible for 3 i guilders about $1.85 does it become crowded. After walking through dutch history Slop off for a Pann Koecke Pancake at the restaurant near the parking area before heading Back to Amsterdam. Dinner in Amsterdam is Only a matter of your taste. From traditional dutch cuisine look for signs that say Quot Nee lands Dis Quot to indonesian or chinese to pizza to Mediterranean fast food specialities like Gyro and falafel the Choice is yours. There is a flock of restaurants  stands around Embran Plein and Leid Seplin and along Leide Straat and . Of course there is always Mcdonald a Day three sunday morning. After paying for the hotel and the parking garage it s off toward the Hague Den Haag and Delft i followed a4 toward Den Haag and got off at Leid Schendal where there Are three windmills to visit which make a Nice Stop along the Way unfortunately a dutch Monsoon was blowing across the Countryside spraying rain in every direction so i clicked off a few frames on the camera from the car window and headed to the seat of dutch government the Hague. I think i was the Only person dumb enough to be outer 00-mile-an-hour winds and a steady drizzle because the City Center was deserted. I walked the City Center in the rain past the Revange poort prison Cate to the. Bin Tenhof the dutch parliament building. The jewel of this former Castle is the of Idder Zaa Knight s Hall a medieval Structure that dates Back to the 13th Century. Leaving the bin Tenhof walk to the Crote Kerk w 14 stripes Magazine december 9, 1993 i 320-foot Tower one of the Hague s landmarks. There Are some Good restaurants around the area for a spot of lunch. A Short walk from Here is the palais Noor Dewinde where the Queen has an office. Other sights of the Hague include the Panorama Mesdag billed As the largest panoramic painting in the world the Post museum and the peace Palace Home of the International court of Justice and on the Road to the Seaside resort Schev Ningen is Maduro am a miniature City built on a1 /25th scale. Of course it was closed in november just a couple of Miles South of the Hague is Delft. I was completely ignorant to the charms of Delft knowing Only of its world famous Blue porcelain. A heavy drizzle and a Strong gusting wind could t ruin a visit to one of Holland s Best preserved towns. Birthplace of the artist Vermeer the tree lined canals the marketplace with its Dennais Sartre town Hall and 15th-Century Niece Kerk new Church and the even older Oudekerk make Delft a postcard perfect town. Hugo de groot often considered the father of International Law was born Here and it is also the final resting place of William the silent father of modern Holland. Modern Delft is Home to a technical University. The streets of the town Are dotted with student cafes and Art galleries making Delft a place fun for people not interested Only in pottery or history. The final Stop in Holland was at Kinderdick just South of Rotterdam. This place would be Don Quixote s Nightmare. There Are 19 windmills Here 17 of them turn their sails together on saturday afternoons in july and August How Many Are turning in november none of course. Standing at Kinderdick is like being in a time Warp. Face the Mills you Are looking at the old Holland How it once was. Turn around and you see the country As it is now with the heavy Industry of modern Rotterdam in the distance. 1 after Kinderdick it was a 300-mile drive Home with Only a Stop for Gas. A shop window in Delft displays the town i famous porcelain above. Shelves lined with cheese lure hungry customers in a manse schans left. A amps photos by Michael Abrams the verdict the Cost of the 725-mile, 3 i Day trip was around $500, including Gas in Holland. If you have German dutch Esso coupons you can save some Money there. Hotels and food come in All Price ranges. My hotel in Amsterdam was 85 guilders about $45 for a single. The parking garage was 44 guilders about $23 from thursday night to saturday morning and 24 guilders about $12,50 for saturday nigh the Freedom of a car to be on your own is Nice but a unlike the bus Tours you make All the arrangements yourself. A Amsterdam is a City Worth visiting All year round. At any time of year the weather can become Chancy because of the dose proximity of the North sea if you want to visit the Countryside however i would t recommend later than mid october because from Marken to Mauro dam most attractions Are closed until Early Spring. A Michael Abrams a cat Peers from behind a window on Marken Island. An All too frequent sign in november on Marken Island chose Al. December 9, 1993 stripes Magazine 15